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Clinical Nutrition ESPEN xxx (2018) e1ee7

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Clinical Nutrition ESPEN


journal homepage: http://www.clinicalnutritionespen.com

Randomized Controlled Trial

Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression


among dieter women with co-morbidity of depression and obesity
compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial
Seyed Ali Keshavarz a, Seyed-Ali Mostafavi b, *, Shahin Akhondzadeh b,
Mohammad Reza Mohammadi b, Saeed Hosseini a, Mohammad Reza Eshraghian c,
Maryam Chamari a
a
School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
b
Psychiatry & Psychology Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
c
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

a r t i c l e i n f o s u m m a r y

Article history: Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of the omega-3 supplementation on body weight and
Received 9 July 2017 depression among women with co-morbidity of depression and obesity seeking weight reduction
Accepted 5 March 2018 compared with the placebo.
Methods: Sixty five patients with co-morbidity of depression and overweight/obesity (BMI  25)
Keywords: signed the informed consent form and enrolled into this 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled
Body weight
randomized clinical Trial. Subsequently, participants randomly assigned into one of the two groups
Depression
receiving daily 6 capsules of omega-3 (each capsule containing 180 mg EPA, and 120 mg DHA) or 6
Obesity
Omega-3
capsules of placebo (two with each meal). We performed body composition assessments and Beck
Randomized clinical trial (RCT) depression inventory at the baseline, and weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 after the start of the study. One month
Women after stopping the capsules at the follow-up visit, weight was measured to compare weight relapse
between the two groups.
Results: Forty five patients finished the study. No significant differences were seen between groups
regarding demographic and clinical variables at baseline. Using repeated measures ANOVA, omega-3
significantly reduced depression compared with the placebo (P ¼ 0.05). Mean ± SD weight reduction
in omega-3 group 3.07 ± 3.4 kg and in the placebo group was 1.16 ± 2.7 kg and the difference between
groups was significant using independent sample t-test (p ¼ 0.049). Patients in the omega-3 group did
not show significantly more side effects compared to the placebo but they were not successful in pre-
venting weight regain one month after the end of the study.
Conclusion: Based on our findings omega-3 capsule as a safe over-the-counter supplement might be
helpful in reducing the signs of depression and also body weight in patients with co-morbidity of
depression and obesity.
© 2018 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved.

1. Introduction disease in 2030 [1]. The current prevalence of major depressive


disorder (MDD) among Iran population is 4.1% (95% CI: 3.1e5.1).
Depression is a very common disorder. It will be the second Women are 1.95 (95% CI: 1.55e2.45) times more probable to have
most important source of burden of disease after ischemic heart MDD [2e4]. On the other hand, obesity is very common too, and it
is one of the most important risk factors for disabilities and mor-
tality. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in national studies
* Corresponding author. Nutritional Neuro-psychiatry group, Psychiatry & Psy-
chology Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,
in adult was 21.7% (CI 95%: 18.5%e25%) [5].
Tehran, Iran. Depression and obesity mostly coexist and are correlated with
E-mail address: mostafavi.n80@hotmail.com (S.-A. Mostafavi). each other [6,7]. The level of this correlation is different in different

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001
2405-4577/© 2018 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Please cite this article in press as: Keshavarz SA, et al., Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression among dieter women
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2018), https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001
e2 S.A. Keshavarz et al. / Clinical Nutrition ESPEN xxx (2018) e1ee7

levels of body weight. The prevalence of depression was 11%, 12%, Exclusion criteria: severe mental disorders, bipolar disorder and
and 23% among normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects, schizophrenia, as well as severe depression, psychotic depression
respectively [8]. A meta-analysis have reported that obese in- or have suicidal thoughts, and those who were taking antidepres-
dividuals are 1.18 times more probable to have depressive symp- sants, consuming glucocorticoids, anti-inflammatory steroid, those
toms with more likely observation in women [9]. Obesity in women who take medication to reduce appetite or weight, those with
increases 37% risk of depression. When depression and obesity diabetes who take medication or insulin, those with heart disease
happen together health consequences are more serious and treat- or hypercholesterolemia that take the medications, those who take
ment of each depression or obesity by itself is complicated [8]. This oral anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or any medicine that
co-morbidity is the main reason for the failure of weight reduction decrease or increase body weight, hormonal contraceptives, preg-
programs [8,10]. nancy and lactation, menopause, hypothyroidism, sport pro-
Many studies have ever been done on depression alone and fessionals, those on special diets, allergy to fish or fish oil.
obesity alone. In fact, clinical studies to evaluate interventions The sample size was determined to recognize the difference of
targeting both disorders are rare. Actually, in most of the in- 4 kg (m1em2 ¼ 4) between the omega-3 and placebo groups in the
terventions to treat the obesity, patients with depression are usu- Type I error a ¼ 0.05 and the power of 1-b ¼ 0.80. According to a
ally excluded. Similarly, in most clinical interventions on study by Hill AM and colleagues [13], the standard deviation for
depression, gathering the information about eating behavior, and weight was determined to be 4.8. Based on above information the
weight gain are overlooked. On the other hand, despite being sample size of 21 was calculated to be sufficient.
known drug treatments for depression, but less than 50% (and even The sample size was determined once again for secondary
in some countries less than 10 percent) of patients with depression outcome of depression so that we could able to detect a 5 point
use these medications [11]. Barriers to the use of psychopharma- difference of depression score between groups (m1em2 ¼ 5) in type
cotherapy include lack of resources, lack of expertise and stigma as I error a ¼ 0.05 and with a power of 1-b ¼ 0.80. According to the
well as the unwillingness of the medication consumption in some study of Su KP and colleagues [14], the standard deviation of
people [11]. Therefore, finding a safe dietary supplement with more depression score was 3.7 and put into the formula for calculating
access that can simultaneously target both obesity and depression sample size Based on above information the sample size of 9 was
is very important. calculated to be sufficient.
There are pieces of evidence that show a dose-dependent effect Finally, we chose the larger sample size to cover all aims of the
of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing symptoms of postpartum study, to compensate for loss to follow up which is common in
depression and depression in the elderly. Emanuel and colleagues clinical trials and also to raise the power of the study. So sampling
in a 13-year-old cohort study of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was continued to 32 patients in Omega-3 group and 33 patients in
and depression over 2744 people have observed that the relation- the placebo group.
ship between PUFA intake and depression was significant, indi- To eliminate the effect of diet, all the participants in the study
cating a pattern of inappropriate and inadequate intake of dietary received a weight loss diet 500 to 1000 kcal of usual dietary
sources of PUFA in people with depression [12]. Studies on the ef- intake and we controlled that by using intermittent three-day food
fects of omega-3 in reducing body weight are limited. records during the study. Furthermore, to coordinate and control for
The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of the omega-3 the physical activity we recommended to all participants to keep
supplementation on body weight and depression among women 20 min of moderate physical activity that is available to everyone
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity seeking weight and we inquired it in every visit. Sampling site was a weight loss
reduction compared with the placebo. clinic. Anthropometric, and body composition assessments
The clinical trial registration number: IRCT2014053016465N3. (including body weight), Beck depression inventory, food craving
questionnaire, appetite and food abstinence visual Analogue scales
2. Methods were performed at the baseline visit, and repeated two weeks, 4
weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the start of the study. One month
This was a 12-week parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled after stopping the capsules at the follow-up visit, weight was
Randomized clinical Trial with no important changes to methods measured to compare weight regain between the two groups.
after trial commencement. We acquired all necessary ethical per- A clinical dietitian preformed anthropometric assessments
missions from ethics committee review board of Tehran University including body weight, height, BMI, waist and hip circumferences.
of Medical Sciences, before patients' enrolment. We performed the Total body fat and muscle percentage, were estimated with body
study in a weight reduction clinic. Sixty five patients with co- composition analyzer all in standard situations. We used InBody270
morbidity of depression and overweight or obesity (Body Mass BIA (InBody Co., Ltd) device which involves eight electrodes, a tetra-
Index; BMI  25) signed the informed consent form and then they polar electrodes in footpads and another 4 set of electrodes in the
randomly assigned to one of the two groups receiving daily 6 cap- handle. The subjects stood on the metal footpads in bare feet and
sules of omega-3; each capsule containing 180 mg Eicosapentaenoic grasped a pair of electrodes fixed to a handle with arms extended in
acid (EPA), and 120 mg decosa-hexaene acids (DHA); Zahravi pharm. front of the chest. This instrument assesses total body fat, visceral fat,
Co. or 6 capsules of placebo (two with each meal). A third party was lean body mass, and basal metabolic rate as well as body weight and
used the computerized simple random allocation method to BMI. The clinical validity of this instrument in measuring body
generate the random allocation sequence. The groups were blinded composition is already approved in comparison with Magnetic Reso-
by placebo to participants and were blinded to the researcher by nance Imaging (MRI) and Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry [15].
coding (allocation concealment). Random allocation sequence and Furthermore, subjects were asked to fill a three-day food record.
subject enrollment were performed by a third party. A psychiatrist Three-day food records were to be completed at home over two
enrolled to help in the diagnosis of depression by a semi-structured non-sequential weekdays, and one day on a weekend, with the
clinical interview performed based on DSM-5 criteria. days being assigned randomly. Subjects were instructed to record
Inclusion criteria were: 18e50 years old women, BMI  25, everything that they eat or drink (including liquids, sweets, and
Identification of depression by semi-Structured Clinical Interview snacks). The portion sizes and scales were also delivered to them.
for DSM-5 criteria for depression based on SADS(Schedule for Af- They were required to deliver the three-day food records in the
fective Disorders and Schizophrenia), signing the consent form. consequent visit.

Please cite this article in press as: Keshavarz SA, et al., Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression among dieter women
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2018), https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001
S.A. Keshavarz et al. / Clinical Nutrition ESPEN xxx (2018) e1ee7 e3

At the end, data gathered and analyzed by analysis of variance Subjects on the omega-3 reduced more weight compared with
(ANOVA) with repeated measures and independent sample t-test. the placebo (Fig. 2). Mean ± SD weight reduction in omega-3 group
Then, the null hypothesis of similarity of weight (as the primary 3.07 ± 3.4 kg and in the placebo group was 1.16 ± 2.7 kg and the
outcome) and depression (as the secondary outcome) was tested difference between group was significant using independent
between groups and during the study period. Level of significance sample t-test (t (43) ¼ 2; p ¼ 0.049; 95%CI:0.008e3.8). Then, we
adopted by the authors was set at 0.05 level. performed repeated measures ANOVA and the interaction effect of
group and time was also significant F ¼ (1, 43) ¼ 2.9, P ¼ 0.07.
3. Results We performed repeated measures ANOVA to compare the main
effects of omega-3 and placebo and the interaction effect between
The periods of recruitment and follow-up were from February groups during the study on depression score in subjects with co-
2016 to April 2017. Twenty four patients in omega-3 group and 21 morbidity of obesity and depression. Omega-3 significantly
patients in placebo group finished the study and entered into the reduced depression compared with the placebo, F ¼ (1, 37) ¼ 4.07,
analysis. Fig. 1 shows the Consort flow diagram of the study (Fig. 1). P ¼ 0.05. The interaction effect of group and time was also signif-
Mean age and BMI of analyzed subjects was 42 years ± 9.9 and icant F ¼ (1, 37) ¼ 5.6, P ¼ 0.008; Fig. 3.
33.4 ± 5.2, respectively. We did not observed any significant dif- We performed repeated measures ANOVA to compare the main
ferences between groups regarding age, total dietary calorie intake, effects of omega-3 and placebo and the interaction effect between
dietary EPA intake, dietary DHA intake, weight, depression score, groups during the study on Visual Analogue Scale for appetite in
and demographic variables at baseline (Table 1). subjects with co-morbidity of obesity and depression. There was

Fig. 1. Flow Diagram of the study (CONSORT 2010).

Please cite this article in press as: Keshavarz SA, et al., Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression among dieter women
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2018), https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001
e4 S.A. Keshavarz et al. / Clinical Nutrition ESPEN xxx (2018) e1ee7

Table 1 not a significant effect of omega-3 on appetite, F ¼ (1, 43) ¼ 1.0,


Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics for each group. P ¼ 0.32. The interaction effect of group and time was not also
Omega-3 Placebo significant F ¼ (1, 43) ¼ 1.3, P ¼ 0.26; Fig. 4.
Mean ± SD/N (%) Mean ± SD/N (%) We performed repeated measures ANOVA to compare the main
Age 41 ± 9.9 44 ± 9.5 effects of omega-3 and placebo and the interaction effect between
Total daily dietary calorie intake (Kcal) 1808 ± 239 1750 ± 187 groups during the study on Visual Analogue Scale for food absti-
Dietary intake of EPA (mg) 0.017 ± 0.04 0.013 ± 0.04 nence in subjects with co-morbidity of obesity and depression.
Dietary intake of DHA (mg) 0.05 ± 0.12 0.03 ± 0.12
There was not a significant effect of omega-3 on food self-restraint,
Weight (kg) 81.7 ± 12.6 82.5 ± 15.0
Waist circumference (cm) 103.3 ± 11.2 106.1 ± 11.9 F ¼ (1, 43) ¼ 1.19, P ¼ 0.28. The interaction effect of group and time
Hip circumference (cm) 115.1 ± 10.3 114.7 ± 10.7 was not also significant F ¼ (1, 43) ¼ 0.8, P ¼ 0.4; Fig. 5.
Body fat percentage 44.4 ± 5.6 45.1 ± 5.7 There was not any significant difference between the omega-3
Beck depression score 19.8 ± 8.4 20.9 ± 5.9
and placebo during the study regarding Food Craving Question-
Age at onset of obesity
Before puberty (type I obesity) 2 (8.3%) 0 (0%)
naire score in subjects with co-morbidity of obesity and depres-
After puberty (type II obesity) 22 (91.7%) 21 (100%) sion; F ¼ (1, 42) ¼ 0.20, P ¼ 0.65.
Education level One month after the end of the study, we observed 2.8 ± 3.6 kg
high school diploma or lower 16 (66.6) 14 (66.7) weight return in the omega-3 group, but subjects in the placebo group
under graduate education 4 (16.7) 5 (23.8)
had reduced 0.21 ± 0.9 kg. The difference between groups was sig-
post graduate education 4 (16.7) 2 (9.5)
Economic status nificant (independent sample t-test; t (22.3) ¼ 3.5; p ¼ 0.002).
low 3 (12.5) 6 (28.6) Five cases reported side effects in the omega-3 group (one cases
middle 21 (87.5) 15 (71.4) reported skin rash, two case reported nausea, one case reported
high 0 (0) 0 (0) hemoragia and one case reported increased appetite), and 4 cases
Marital status
single 4 (16.7) 1 (4.8)
reported side effects in the placebo group (two cases reported skin
married 19 (79.1) 19 (90.4) rash, one case reported nausea, and one case reported increased
widowed 1 (4.2) 1 (4.8) appetite). Different between groups regarding side effects were not
Child delivery number significant (fisher's exact test; p ¼ 0.7).
0 6 (25) 1 (4.8)
1 6 (25) 6 (28.6)
2 8 (33.3) 5 (23.8) 4. Discussion
3 4 (16.7) 9 (36.8)

EPA: Eicosapentaenoic acid DHA: docosahexaenoic acid. The main finding of this study was that Omega-3 at the dose of
1080 mg EPA þ 720 mg DHA/day significantly reduced depression

Fig. 2. Comparing the main effects of omega-3 and placebo during the study period on body weight.

Please cite this article in press as: Keshavarz SA, et al., Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression among dieter women
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2018), https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001
S.A. Keshavarz et al. / Clinical Nutrition ESPEN xxx (2018) e1ee7 e5

Fig. 3. Comparing the main effects of omega-3 and placebo during the study period on Beck Depression Inventory Score using repeated measures ANOVA.

Fig. 4. Comparing the main effects of omega-3 and placebo during the study period on Visual Analogue Scale for appetite using repeated measures ANOVA.

Please cite this article in press as: Keshavarz SA, et al., Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression among dieter women
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2018), https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001
e6 S.A. Keshavarz et al. / Clinical Nutrition ESPEN xxx (2018) e1ee7

Fig. 5. Comparing the main effects of omega-3 and placebo during the study period on Visual Analogue Scale for food abstinence using repeated measures ANOVA.

compared with the placebo. At various times, some studies have The Beck questionnaire was used to assess depression symptoms
reported the effects of omega-3 on reducing depression and mood during the study. The severity of depression in the group receiving
disorders, Tajalizadekhoob Y. and colleagues [16] in a double blind omega-3 significantly decreased (P ¼ 0.001).
study on 66 old patients with mild to moderate depression, used In another study, Jazayeri Sh. and colleagues [21] compared the
daily 300 mg of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosapentaenoic therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acids (1000 mg EPA), Fluoxe-
acid (DHA) (active ingredient of fish oil) for 6 months. They found a tine (20 mg) and a combination of omega-3 and Fluoxetine. These
significant change (p  0.001) in the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 researchers observed that the combination of omega-3 and
(GDS-15) of those receiving omega 3 (n ¼ 29) compared with the Fluoxetine significantly better decreased depression symptoms
placebo (n ¼ 26) using tow-way ANOVA. Rondanelli and colleagues compared with Fluoxetine or omega-3 alone. Interestingly, the
[17] also used omega-3 fatty acids in elderly women with depres- therapeutic effect of omega-3 alone in controlling the symptoms of
sion in a 2-month clinical study. The group receiving omega-3 depression was similar to that of Fluoxetine. Meta-analysis studies
(n ¼ 24), received 1.6 g of EPA and 0.83 g of DHA and the control [22] show a more effect of EPA than DHA in reducing symptoms of
group (n ¼ 22) received identical placebo. GDS test scores were depression. Sablt and colleagues [22] divided the clinical studies of
compared before and after 8 weeks and a significant reduction was omega-3 on depression into two categories: studies that the EPA
observed in the group receiving omega-3. dose was <60% of the total EPA þ DHA and other studies that EPA
Sinn N and colleagues [18] in a study to assess the effects of was 60% of the total. And showed that supplementation with
different doses of omega-3 fatty acids on depressive symptoms of EPA  60% has a better effect on the improvement of depressive
elderly patients suffering mild to moderate depression, applied 50 symptoms. The EPA dose was at 200e2200 mg per day range. The
elderly patients for period of 6 months. A group consisting of 17 results of our study were in line with aforementioned studies. All
patients mainly received EPA (EPA ¼ 1.67 g/day þ DHA ¼ 0.16 g/ above studies indicate that therapeutic doses of omega-3 are
day). The other group consisted of 18 patients received mainly DHA effective in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
(DHA ¼ 1.55 g/day þ EPA ¼ 0.4 g/day) and the third group (n ¼ 15) Studies on the effects of omega-3 on body weight are rare.
received n-6 PUFA (LA ¼ 2.2 g/day). They compared GDS score DeFina LF. and colleagues [23] performed a study to examine the
between groups. GDS score in the group receiving dominant EPA effects of omega-3 on body weight loss in non-depressed obese or
(P ¼ 0.04) and DHA (P ¼ 0.01) was significantly improved. overweight subjects. They randomly assigned 128 eligible in-
Arbabi and colleagues [19] in a study on postpartum model of dividuals with BMI between 26 and 40 into two groups receiving
depression in rats reported antidepressant effects of omega-3. daily 5 capsules of omega-3 (3 g of EPA and DHA at a ratio of 5 to 1)
Furthermore, Nahidi and colleagues [20] in the 4-week study of (n ¼ 64) and five placebo capsules (n ¼ 64). Both groups received
70 women with postpartum depression assessed omega-3 effects dietary and exercise counseling. Eighty-one patients finished the
on depression. They randomly divided participants into two groups 24-weeks of the study. Both omega-3 (5.2 kg; 95%
of 35 patients receiving a daily one gram of omega-3 or placebo. CI: 6.0e4.4 kg) and placebo (5.8 kg; 95% CI: 6.7e5.1 kg)

Please cite this article in press as: Keshavarz SA, et al., Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression among dieter women
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2018), https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001
S.A. Keshavarz et al. / Clinical Nutrition ESPEN xxx (2018) e1ee7 e7

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Please cite this article in press as: Keshavarz SA, et al., Omega-3 supplementation effects on body weight and depression among dieter women
with co-morbidity of depression and obesity compared with the placebo: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2018), https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.001

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